Optimizing the “priming” effect: influence of prior exercise intensity and recovery duration on O2 uptake kinetics and severe-intensity exercise tolerance

Abstract

It has been suggested that a prior bout of high-intensity exercise has the potential to enhance performance during subsequent high-intensity exercise by accelerating the O2 uptake (V̇o2) on-response. However, the optimal combination of prior exercise intensity and subsequent recovery duration required to elicit this effect is presently unclear. Eight male participants, aged 18–24 yr, completed step cycle ergometer exercise tests to 80% of the difference between the preestablished gas exchange threshold and maximal V̇o2 (i.e., 80%Δ) after no prior exercise (control) and after six different combinations of prior exercise intensity and recovery duration: 40%Δ with 3 min (40-3-80), 9 min (40-9-80), and 20 min (40-20-80) of recovery and 70%Δ with 3 min (70-3-80), 9 min (70-9-80), and 20 min (70-20-80) of recovery. Overall V̇o2 kinetics were accelerated relative to control in all conditions except for 40-9-80 and 40-20-80 conditions as a consequence of a reduction in the V̇o2 slow component amplitude; the phase II time constant was not significantly altered with any prior exercise/recovery combination. Exercise tolerance at 80%Δ was improved by 15% and 30% above control in the 70-9-80 and 70-20-80 conditions, respectively, but was impaired by 16% in the 70-3-80 condition. Prior exercise at 40%Δ did not significantly influence exercise tolerance regardless of the recovery duration. These data demonstrate that prior high-intensity exercise (∼70%Δ) can enhance the tolerance to subsequent high-intensity exercise provided that it is coupled with adequate recovery duration (≥9 min). This combination presumably optimizes the balance between preserving the effects of prior exercise on V̇o2 kinetics and providing sufficient time for muscle homeostasis (e.g., muscle phosphocreatine and H+ concentrations) to be restored.